During the days between villages, Harry thought about what he had witnessed and how Efrain was able to solve a quarrel without stress. The two discussed each case when they stopped at the Waystation for the night.
Harry and Efrain were in the way station that evening between villages, Efrain was writing out reports to send back to the Capital.
"Efrain?" Harry questions, he finally worked up the courage and the proper wording in Karsite seeing as most villagers wouldn't learn and only Heralds knew all alliance languages.
The Herald stopped working and twisted around to look at Harry, they were speaking in Karsite for Efrain to hear his home-tongue and for harry to get more practice in the strange language.
"I have been wondering for some time, just who will take the Throne since Valdemar has two Heirs?" Harry questions, he had been wondering for some time.
"Either one could, but if Prince Kris doesn't want the Throne, Princess Lyra would be our next Queen and Prince Kris could Chosen as the next Queen's Own, and the same could be said in reverse as well." Efrain answers, "Now if both do not want the Crown, a Herald will be selected that is in the proper blood line."
Harry agreed and shook his head "I'm glad I'm not in that group I'll be a lousy leader."
"That is why I am happy to be a Herald; I would graciously refuse to be a leader of anything other than villagers mounting a resistance to bandits." Efrain agreed "But they are the royal family, but remember this, you must always support Herald Kris and Herald Lyra as well as the Prince and Princess."
"Always that goes without question and I will always be by their sides." Harry agrees
Efrain nods, "now what are your opinions on this recent case about the feuding families."
Harry reviewed the last few cases he saw with Efrain and gave his thoughts as well.
"I thought as much." Efrain concurred.
As the year progressed, Efrain began shifting responsibilities to Harry, so that the Interning Herald was the one overseeing judgments, and writing reports. Harry took the responsibility very seriously and tried to do the job. He knew that by this time next year, it would be just him out in the field.
For the most part the cases were minor and seemed to solve themselves after they talked to him.
One spring day, Efrain and Harry were just relaxing in the sunlight waiting on the Herald Courier who would bring them the news of capital.
Morgan looked up from her grazing, as she caught the faint sending of a companion mindcall.
Harry looked up looking to where Morgan was looking. :What's wrong Morgan is someone in trouble?:
:No, your courier is coming, I can hear the faint sending.: Morgan answers, she exchanged a look with Enchantress, who was her senior on this trip as well. :Enchantress says I'm right.:
With a nod, harry turns to Efrain "Heads up the courier is near."
Efrain opened one dark brown eye, and yawned, "Okay, we'll wait until he or she is nearby."
Both Heralds sat up, once they heard the unmistakable chiming of Companion's hooves.
They both stood and turned to face the courier.
"You look good for someone, who had dealt with more snow then I ever did." A friendly voice greeted once the Herald courier was in hearing range, their courier was none of than Harry's friend Jacob.
"Heyla Jacob how have you been I'm glad to see you." Harry spoke with a grin on his face.
Jacob dismounted, "Not certain of my life when it comes to you." He regarded his friend before turning and grabbing his saddlebags. "Do you want your goodies or news first?"
"News first then we can have to good stuff." Harry replied
"Both, that way we can gloat." Efrain states, with a shrug.
Jacob smiled and reached into his saddlebags pulled out packages. Most were letters from friends, Efrain grinned as he got a wine skin, while Harry was shocked as he found a book of poetry, the same one that Corina owns that he had borrowed to read and rather liked the authors. Jacob then reported on the council decisions and the new laws with the Queen and Prince-Consort's approval.
Harry nodded memorizing everything, and then he gave the reports, he had written out so far for Jacob to take back to the capital.
Jacob stayed the night and by morning, he was off again, as he was directed by Corina to find her and report on Harry's welfare.
Later that day as they continued their circuit dealing with small problems and just all the stuff a Herald should do.
They finished up, and were working their way back to the main road; Efrain stood up in his stirrups and placed a hand over his eyes to get a better look.
"I believe our relief is coming." Efrain states as he sat back down.
"Oh really can you tell who it is?" Harry asked.
"Not from this distance." Efrain answers
Morgan huffed as she listened for the mindcall from the Companion. :Well, it is someone close to you, other than Dasher's Chosen.:
As their incoming relief approached, Harry noticed it was his year-mate Rowena. Harry vaulted off Morgan's back, went over, and hugged his year-mate, who must have finished her internship early.
"Harry, calm down or Corina might get the wrong idea." Rowena jokes.
Harry shook his head, "Companions don't count but you're the first female herald I've seen in a while, and all I had was Efrain as company. How is your brother?"
"Not enjoying his time off, as soon as we finished our internships, we got the message that one of us needed to return home to uh…fulfill the family obligation." Rowena answers.
"Oh, I see." Harry said looking down.
"Bryan and I are from the LakeEvendimregion, it was a matter of time before our family called us back to add to the bloodline." Rowena explains, "He just got the short end of the straw, I refused."
"Anyway, I'm just glad this part is over for now." Harry states
"Get used to it." Rowena frowned at him, before they helped her put her gear and the leftovers of theirs on to the Chirras and the mules that Rowena brought with her.
The two Heralds went on the way to the Collegium and home.